DONALDSONVILLE, LA — The lights at Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium will burn bright tonight as the Ascension Catholic Bulldogs host the H.L. Bourgeois Braves in a pivotal non-conference season opener. This Thursday night showdown, kicking off at 7 PM, pits two programs hungry to set the tone for the 2025 campaign. For everything Louisiana high school football, follow our coverage at HS Football Insider.

What: Louisiana High School Football
Who: Bourgeois vs Ascension Catholic
When: Thursday, September 4, 2025
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where: Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium
Live stream: Watch on NFHS Network

Both teams enter the fray with pristine 0-0 records, a blank slate brimming with potential and unanswered questions. The Braves from Gray, Louisiana, look to establish a new identity, while the Bulldogs aim to prove their high state ranking is no fluke. This isn’t just another game; it’s the first real test, a measuring stick for two teams with vastly different expectations.

The Matchup: Braves vs. Bulldogs

The contrast in preseason projections adds a compelling layer of intrigue to this contest. According to statewide rankings, Ascension Catholic holds a significant advantage on paper. The Bulldogs enter the season ranked 72nd in Louisiana and an impressive 5th in their class, a testament to the talent and expectations surrounding the program.

The Braves, meanwhile, are positioned as the underdogs. Ranked 194th in the state and 40th in their class, Bourgeois carries a different kind of pressure—the pressure to outperform expectations and shock the prognosticators. This dynamic creates a classic high-stakes environment: one team fights to validate its ranking, the other to defy it.

With no common opponents or head-to-head history to dissect from this young season, this game becomes a pure evaluation of preparation, scheme, and raw execution. Coaches have had all summer to prepare; now, it’s time for the players to decide it on the field.

Breaking Down the Ascension Catholic Bulldogs

The Bulldogs are not just favored; they are a force to be reckoned with. A top-five ranking in their class signals a team believed to have the talent for a deep playoff run. For Head Coach Thomas Bell and his staff, this game is about translating offseason hype into on-field dominance.

The key for Ascension Catholic will be to start fast. Playing at home in the electric atmosphere of their own stadium provides a distinct advantage. The Bulldogs’ offense must find its rhythm early, establish the run game, and let their defense play from ahead. With a defense that is expected to be a cornerstone of the team, applying immediate pressure on the Braves’ offense could lead to quick mistakes and capitalize on early opportunities.

The Bulldogs’ roster is filled with players who have spent the offseason in the weight room and in 7-on-7 tournaments, building chemistry. Their challenge tonight is to demonstrate that their high ranking is justified and that they can handle the pressure of being the hunted.

Scouting the H.L. Bourgeois Braves

The Braves embrace the underdog role. For Head Coach Tawaskie Anderson, this game is a tremendous opportunity. A strong showing, or even an upset victory, against a highly-touted opponent like Ascension Catholic would instantly redefine his team’s season and build immense momentum.

Bourgeois’s game plan will likely focus on discipline and fundamentals. To pull off the upset, they must control the clock, limit turnovers, and play stifling, assignment-sound defense. Slowing down the Bulldog offense is priority number one. If the Braves can turn the game into a low-possession, physical grind, they can neutralize some of Ascension Catholic’s athletic advantages.

The Braves have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Their players will come out with a chip on their shoulder, eager to prove that rankings are earned on the field, not in preseason publications. A focused and passionate effort could make this a much closer game than the rankings suggest.

Key Factors and X-Factors

Several critical factors will decide the outcome of this season-opening clash:

• First-Game Jitters: Which team better handles the opening-night adrenaline and mistakes? Penalties and turnovers, often rampant in Week 1, will be a huge determinant. The squad that settles in quickest will seize control.

• Trench Warfare: The battle at the line of scrimmage is always paramount. The team that establishes dominance on both the offensive and defensive lines will dictate the pace of the game. Can Bourgeois’s front hold up against Ascension Catholic’s defensive pressure?

• Quarterback Play: With both teams unveiling their offensive schemes, the decision-making and poise of the quarterbacks will be under a microscope. Managing the game and avoiding costly errors will be as important as making big plays.

• Special Teams: In what many expect to be a hard-fought game, the third phase could be the difference. A blocked punt, a long kick return, or a missed field goal can completely shift momentum.

The X-factor could be a home-run hitter. Both teams have players capable of breaking a game open with one touch. For Ascension Catholic, it might be a shifty running back or a deep-threat receiver. For Bourgeois, a dynamic return specialist or a ball-hawking defensive back could provide the spark needed to swing the game.

The Intangible: Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium

There is no replacing the home-field advantage. The Bulldogs will run out of their tunnel to a roaring home crowd, a tangible energy that can fuel a team and, at times, intimidate a visiting opponent. The Braves must find a way to silence that crowd early with a sustained drive or a big defensive stop. If Ascension Catholic can score quickly and get their fans into a frenzy, it could be a long night for the visitors from Gray.

How to Follow the Action

Can’t make it to Donaldsonville? The game will be live-tracked, and both schools are seeking live reporters to provide real-time updates and commentary. This ensures fans won’t miss a single snap, touchdown, or crucial turnover.

For complete coverage of this game and all the thrilling action across the state, make HS Football Insider your home for Louisiana high school football. We bring you scores, stats, highlights, and analysis from every corner of the boot.

Prediction: A Statement Win

While the spirit of high school football means any outcome is possible on a given Friday—or in this case, Thursday—night, the scales tip toward the home team. Ascension Catholic’s high preseason ranking exists for a reason. They possess the talent, the coaching, and the home-field environment to start their season 1-0.

However, expect the H.L. Bourgeois Braves to fight for all four quarters. They will come prepared, motivated, and unwilling to back down from the challenge. The Bulldogs will likely wear them down in the second half, leveraging their depth and defensive strength to pull away.

Final Score Prediction: Ascension Catholic 31, H.L. Bourgeois 13

The Bulldogs will make a statement that their ranking is deserved, but the Braves will leave the field having gained valuable experience and respect. It all starts tonight under the lights. Let the games begin